Loader bucket with counterweight

ABSTRACT

A loader bucket is adapted for use with a machine includes a first side section, a second side section and a rear section. The rear section has a substantially arcuate portion so that a bottom section extends from a lower end of the arcuate portion. Further, a top section extends from an upper end of the arcuate portion. One or more counterweights are disposed on the top section of the loader bucket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a machine for material handling, and more particularly relates to a loader bucket of the machine.

BACKGROUND

A material handling machine, such as a backhoe loader, includes a frame provided with a ground engaging members and a power source. The machine includes a backhoe structure and a front loading structure. The front loading structure and the backhoe structure are mounted on a front end portion and a rear end portion of the frame, respectively. Conventionally, a counterweight is provided on the front end portion of the machine when the machine travels or operates with the backhoe structure. The counterweight may counterbalance the front loading structure with the backhoe structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,891 discloses a counterweights system for use with a material handling machine adapted for selectively counterbalancing a front loading structure or a backhoe structure of the material handling machine depending on whether or not the backhoe structure is attached to a rear end of the frame. The counterweights system permits counterweights to be installed on the front loading structure when the backhoe structure is in use. The counterweights system permits the counterweights to be installed on the rear end of the drive machine when the backhoe structure is removed to reversely counterbalance the material handling machine. However, there is still room for improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a loader bucket including a first side section, a second side section, and a rear section. The rear section has a substantially arcuate portion so that a bottom section extends from a lower end of the arcuate portion. Further, a top section extends from an upper end of the arcuate portion. One or more counterweights are disposed on the top section of the loader bucket.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the counterweights including an insert having a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate define a cavity for receiving a high density material such as concrete mix, metal ores, metal alloy scrap, water, sand and/or gravels.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a backhoe loader machine, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of a loader bucket, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the loader bucket of FIG. 2 along X-X′;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an insert, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of the loader bucket of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine 100, such as a backhoe loader, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the machine 100 includes a frame 102. The frame 102 may include a front section 104 and a rear section 106. The frame 102 of the machine 100 may support an operator cab 108 and an engine enclosure 110. As well known in the art, an engine (not shown) may be housed within the engine enclosure 110. The engine is used to provide power to a final drive assembly, via a mechanical or an electrical transmission. The operator cab 108 may include one or more control means to control the operations of the machine 100. The machine 100 may be supported by ground engaging member, such as a pair of front wheels 112 (only one side is shown) mounted on the front section 104 and a pair of rear wheels 114 (only one side is shown) mounted on the rear section 106. However, the machine 100 may alternately include a conventionally known tracks or crawler as the ground engaging members.

A front loading structure 116 may be connected to the front section 104 of the frame 102. The front loading structure 116 may include, for example, but not limited to, a loader bucket 118. Further, a backhoe structure 120 may be connected to the rear section 106 of the frame 102. The backhoe structure 120 may include an implement, for example, but not limited to, a bucket 122. It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that in various other embodiments, the front loading structure 116 and the backhoe structure 120 may include a blade, a fork, a grapple, a hammer, or any other type of implement. The front loading structure 116 and the backhoe structure 120 may be hydraulically or electrically controlled with the control means provided in the operator cab 108.

In an embodiment, the front loading structure 116 may include a linkage assembly 124 mounted on the front section 104 of the frame 102. The linkage assembly 124 may include a lift arm 126 pivotally mounted to the front section 104 at a first end 128. Further, the loader bucket 118 is pivotally mounted at a second end 130 of the lift arm 126. Further, the linkage assembly 124 may further include a tilt arm 127 and a tilt actuator 129, configured to be connected to the loader bucket 118. Further, the backhoe structure 120 may include a boom member 132 pivotally connected to the frame 102 at the rear section 106. The backhoe structure 120 may also include a stick member 134 pivotally connected to the boom member 132 and the bucket 122 is pivotally connected to the stick member 134.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, two stabilizer legs 136 (only one side shown) may be connected to the rear portion 106 of the frame 102. The stabilizer legs 136 may be provided behind the pair of rear wheels 114. The stabilizers legs 136 keep the machine 100 steady, minimizing the jostling effect during operation. They also secure the machine 100 in a stable position. Further, the stabilizer legs 136 may have two types of “shoes,” so that they may be planted securely on both dirt and pavement. A grouser shoe side digs into the dirt for a better grip, and a rubber-padded shoe may be used on the pavement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the loader bucket 118, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the loader bucket 118 may include a first side section 138, a second side section 140, and a rear section 142. The rear section 142 may have a substantially arcuate portion 144 such that a bottom section 146 may extend from a lower end 148 of the arcuate portion 144. The bottom section 146 may be substantially straight and a cutting edge 150 may be attached to the bottom section 146 by welding, bolting or any other mechanical fastening means. Further, a top section 152 may extend from an upper end 154 of the arcuate portion 144. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more counterweights 156 are provided on the loader bucket 118. As illustrated, the counterweights 156 adapted to be integral with the loader bucket 118 and disposed on the top section 152 of the loader bucket 118.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the loader bucket 118 along line XX′ of FIG. 2. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the counterweights 156 may include an insert 158 defining a cavity 160. The cavity 160 may be substantially filled in with a high density material 162 for example, but not limited to concrete mix. Typically, the counterweight 156 is required to be incorporated on the loader bucket 118 and due to aesthetic and size constraints, it is frequently necessary to minimize the dimensions of the counterweight 156 by utilizing the high density material. A person having ordinary skill in the art may understand that the concrete mix may be a mixture of metallic or metal alloys scrap, concrete and a bonding agent. The concrete mix ingredients may be properly mixed in definite proportions before filling into the cavity 160 of the counterweights 156. Further, if it is a premixed concrete, only water may be added to the make the concrete mix. The high density material 162 may be cured for predetermined amount of time before the counterweights are disposed on the loader bucket 118. Further, apart from concrete mix, the cavity 160 on the counterweights 156 may be filled in with any mixture which is fully packed without loose movement, for example, but not limited to, sand, water, and/or gravels.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the insert 158 may be fabricated as an elongated box type structure having a first end 164 and a second end 166. Further, the insert 158 may be made of material for example, but not limited to, steel. Further, the insert 158 may include a first plate 168 and a second plate 170 attached to the first plate 168 by a mechanical fastening means such as, welding, bolting, etc. to define the cavity 160. In an embodiment, the first plate 168 may have a bent shape to define a triangular channeled cavity 160. Further, the second plate 170 may be welded to an inner face of the first plate 168 along a weld line 171. Moreover, the first plate 168 and the second plate 170 may be of any shape, such that the insert 158 may have various cross-sections, for example, rectangular cross-section, or any polygonal cross-section. According to another embodiment; the insert 158 may be also formed from a one piece plate to define the cavity 160. Further, the insert 158 may be attached within the top section 152 by any means, but not limited to, welding or any mechanical attachment. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the insert 158 may be prefilled with the high density material 162 before attaching to the top section 152 of the loader bucket 118. Further, the high density material 162 may be allowed to cure for a definite amount of time, preferably for several days. Further, first end 164 and the second end 166 of insert 158 may be covered by a closed lid.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of the loader bucket 118 of FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the counterweights 156, one of them in an exploded view, may be attached to an outer surface 172 of the top section 152 by welding or other mechanical attachment. Further, the counterweights 156 may be attached on inner surfaces, 174, 176 of the first side section 138 and the second side section 140. The loader bucket 118 may further include first coupling members 178 and second coupling members 180. The first coupling members 178 may be configured to be attached to the pair of lift arms 126 to raise or lower the loader bucket 118. Further, the second coupling members 180 may be configured to attach to the tilt arm 127 and tilt actuator 129 for tilting the loader bucket 118. The first coupling members 178 may provide a support at a base of the counterweights 156. Further, the second coupling member 180 may provide side wise support to the counterweights 156, as illustrated in FIG. 5

A person ordinarily skilled in the art may be understand that, the counterweights 156 may be provided anywhere on the loader bucket 118 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the insert 158 may be integrally built within the top section 152 of the loader bucket 118 during fabrication. In an alternative aspect, the counterweights 156 may be provided in the bucket 122 of the backhoe structure 120.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability of the counterweights material associated with the loader bucket 118 described herein will be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion. Although, the machine 100 is embodied as the backhoe loader, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be applicable to similar machine, such as those fitted with a backhoe and a loader attachment. The counterweights are added to balance the front loading structure 116 and the backhoe structure 120. In general, the counterweights may be provided on the frame 102 of the machines either on the front section or the rear section based on the loading conditions.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the machine 100 may be unstable and jumpy while traveling in no load condition. This may be due to insufficient weight balance between the front loading structure 116 and the backhoe structure 120. Therefore, to prevent a see-saw effect between the front loading structure 116 and the backhoe structure 120, counterweights 156 are added to the loader bucket 118 of the machine 100. Although, the counterweights 156 are added in the loader bucket 118, a person skilled in the art may understand that counterweights may be provided on the backhoe structure 120, i.e. on the bucket 122.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the insert 158 may be introduced into the top section 152 of the loader bucket 118. Further, the high density material 162 may be filled into the insert 158. The utilization of already present space in the top section 152 on the loader bucket 118 may require less fabrication or modifications for filling the counterweights 156. However, it should also be understood that the counterweights 156 may be filled anywhere in the loader bucket 118.

Moreover, the amount of high density material 162 required for the counterweights 156 in the loader bucket 118 is less when compared to the material provided on the frame 102 of the machine 100. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the high density material 162 for the counterweights 156 required to add in the top section 152 is approximately 60% of weight of the counterweights added anywhere on the frame 102 of the machine 100. This may lessen the usage of material of the counterweights 156 providing stability to the machine 100 while travelling in no load conditions. In a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, concrete mix is used as the high density material 162 for the counterweights 156. Further, the cost of the concrete mix, which is about 30% less costly than that of cast iron.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A loader bucket of a machine comprising: a first side section and a second side section; a rear section; a top section, wherein the top section extends from an upper end of the rear section; and a counterweight disposed on the top section.
 2. The loader bucket of claim 1, wherein the rear section have a substantially arcuate portion such that a bottom section extends from a lower end of the arcuate portion.
 3. The loader bucket of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is attached to the top section by welding or mechanical fasteners.
 4. The loader bucket of claim 1, wherein the counterweight includes an insert defining a cavity, wherein the cavity is substantially filled in with a high density material.
 5. The loader bucket of claim 4, wherein the high density material is composed of material selected from at least one or more of a concrete mix, metal ores, metal alloy scrap, sand, water, and/or gravels.
 6. The loader bucket of claim 4, wherein the insert includes a first plate and a second plate attached to the first plate by welding or mechanical fasteners.
 7. The loader bucket of claim 4, wherein the insert have a triangular cross-section or rectangular cross-section, or polygonal cross-section.
 8. The loader bucket of claim 4, wherein the insert is formed from a one piece plate.
 9. A machine comprising; a frame comprising a front section and a rear section; a front loading structure is provided in the front section including; and a loader bucket comprising: a first side section and a second side section; a rear section; a top section, wherein the top section extend from an upper end of the rear section; and a counterweight is disposed in the top section, the counterweight includes an insert defining a cavity substantially filled in with a high density material
 10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the rear section have a substantially arcuate portion such that a bottom section extends from a lower end of the arcuate portion.
 11. The machine of claim 9, wherein the counterweight is attached to the top section by welding or mechanical fasteners.
 12. The machine of claim 9, wherein the high density material is composed of material selected from at least one or more of a concrete mix, metal ores, metal alloy scrap, sand, water, and/or gravels.
 13. The machine of claim 9, wherein the insert includes a first plate and a second plate attached to the first plate by welding or mechanical fasteners.
 14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first plate have a bent shape and the second plate is welded to an inner face of the first plate along a weld line.
 15. The machine of claim 9, wherein the insert has a triangular cross-section or rectangular cross-section, or polygonal cross-section.
 16. A counterweight for a loader bucket comprising: an insert including a first plate and a second plate, wherein second plate attached to the first plate by welding; a cavity defined by the first plate and the second; and a high density material is filled into the cavity.
 17. The counterweight of claim 16, wherein the insert have a triangular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section, or a polygonal cross-section.
 18. The counterweight of claim 16, wherein the first plate have a bent shape and the second plate is welded to an inner face of the first plate along a weld line.
 19. The counterweight of claim 16, wherein the insert is configured to be attached to the loader bucket by welding or mechanical fasteners.
 20. The counterweight of claim 16, wherein the high density material is composed of material selected from at least one or more of a concrete mix, metal ores, metal alloy scrap, sand, water, and/or gravels. 